Winter Break

Classes ended early—at 6;40 pm.

In her dorm room, Kaltain wears a cozy hazel turtleneck sweater loosely tucked neatly into a sleek white mini skirt, with her feet adorned in creamy white silk shoes that feature brown shoelaces.

Blissfully sighing, Kaltain buries her face into the comfortable fabric. ‘It’s been awhile since I wore my own clothes beside pajamas.’

After gathering her things, which fit in one bag, though making it stuffed to the fullest, she leaves the dorm building. On her way to the entrance, she encounters Kallias, who was still donning the academy uniform.

“I’m curious,” Kaltain began upon locking eyes with him. “Does that dead brother of yours not have the wings trait like you?”

Her question made Kallias grimace. His expression darkens as he tightens a grip on his backpack straps.

Kaltain regards him carefully. She wanted to ask that for a while now, but because of last time—when matters turned out like shit—she held off.

‘If shit hits the fan, it’s okay. We won’t be seeing each other for weeks.’ Kaltain nods softly with resolve.

“He does,” Kallias finally answers. With a sharp intake, he shakes his head solemnly. “He must have exhausted it.”

Lifting his head, Kallias winces at the sight of Kaltain's unreadable expression. He knew it in his bones; she didn’t believe that.

‘How could one die from drowning if they can fly? Why does one rush when they have resources to succeed?’

Only a fool would die like Kavish Polymina. 

“You left without me, you jerk!” A high pitch voice exclaims. In the next second, a slender figure collides into Kaltain.

Kaltain's body froze for a moment. Then, she glances over her shoulder, her cheek brushing silver hair. “If you want to insult, Wyn, you should have used bitch.”

“I can think of a few bitches.” Kallias chuckles dryly, a bitterness in his words.

‘The fact that I can’t understand that sentence says something about my intelligence or his?’ Kaltain muses internally while slipping out of Wyn hold.

“Why didn’t you wait for me?” Wyn asks, sounding a bit whiny, and even looking the part with pouty lips.

Kaltain shrugs nonchalantly. “I’m sorry I am not sorry.”

Wyn rolls her eyes before straightening out her yellow short sundress. From her lack of expression, Kaltain senses Wyn was hurt.

Kaltain shifts on her feet. “I was going to text you.”

“Ok.”

‘She’s mad or disappointed.’ Kaltain looks at Kallias. He lifts a shoulder in response. Returning her gaze to Wyn, Kaltain suppressed a sigh. ‘Good grief.’

“I’m sorry, Wyn,” Kaltain says sincerely, curling an arm around the usual cheerful girl. “Let’s walk together now.”

Upon leaving the main campus grounds, they stand outside the gates, watching glistening cars glide the concrete, with dozens of students wandering.

The trio were chatting about what a perfect ending in books and shows are when Kaltain caught sight of a handsome man waving at her.

Butterflies flutter in Kaltain's belly, her pulse spiking, as if a firework igniting.

It was Ishaan Iniko.

As usual, his golden hair ensnares Kaltain's attention the most, appearing as melted gold crafted in silky waves.

Her eyes travel over him, taking advantage of the fact he can’t see her checking him out.

Today he’s dressed in an oversized black coat with large pockets, paired with a black turtleneck and matching trousers. His authentic refined demeanor, which appears cold and unapproachable to others, was gentle in her eyes.

It feels awkward to wave at someone wearing a blindfold, so Kaltain approaches him, surprising even herself.

Before she departs, Kallias says teasingly, “Wow, you two have similar style.”

“What are you talking about?” Wyn asks, looking between Kalitain and Kallias with an innocent expression.

“Oh, right, you don’t know…”

Kaltain ignores them both for her own sanity. She didn’t view Ishaan in that light, though if Kaltain had the talent to be an artist, Ishaan would be her masterpiece, one she would never stop drawing.

He was very handsome—beyond mortal attraction, dare she believe—a type of charm she deeply wished to engrave in her soul, but liking him even as a friend was sinful.

Every northern hated people from Sun Clan more than they hated their own Pillar.

However, dragons treasure gold and other precious items, so maybe she picked up on that habit. 

‘His hair is golden.’

****

“Hi.” Kaltain hates how shy she sounds. Frustration radiates in her chest.

Ishaan gave a lopsided smile, as if amused by something. “Hello, Miss Melpomene.”

‘So formal.’ Kaltain attempts to not frown and instead ponders what to say. In all her encounters so far at Lightless, they’ve all been made by the other person, never herself.

It takes a lot of courage to speak and a shit ton of bravery to do so without second guessing themselves.

Most of the time Kaltain finds her voice to be inside her head, which amuses and dishearten her equally, as it took her existence for granted in the eyes of others.

For a significant amount of Kaltain's life, she didn’t know her thoughts were words.

Everybody has thoughts—an inner voice—that is a fact. However, she never knew until later in life that the voice in her brain could be forged into words she can see and understand from an outward perspective.

‘It’s strange.’ 

Kaltain didn’t realize she could understand the voice and control it, though sometimes it proves to be infuriatingly difficult. ‘It’s there, a ghost and then thousands of phantom syllables.’

Near them, students gradually clear the area, desperate and eager to go home, while a few couldn’t help but gawk at their exchange, vibrating with awe and envy.

“We haven’t officially met, I’m Akira Misul—I know you heard of me. The pleasure is all mine.” A fair hand extends to Kaltain. “From what I’ve heard, you are best friends with my little sis and my brother from another holy mother.”

Kaltain shakes his hand, not responding at first. ‘I wonder if saying I hardly consider her friend would upset him…. Brother from another holy mother? Kallias?’

“Nice to meet you,” she says with a polite smile.

“Manon doesn’t appear to like you very much,” Akira remarks, taking both Ishaan and Kaltain by surprise. “She talks shit about you like the weather.”

“Oh,” replies Kaltain, her posture calm and unfazed. ‘Good grief, who is Manon again?’

“Why?”

She shrugs, avoiding Akira unwavering dark pink eyes. 

Just as Kaltain wonders if she should flat out ignore him or change the subject, a gravelly voice says lively, “If it isn’t my dear old pals. I haven’t seen either of you around as much as I would have liked.”

Kaltain eyes drag to the speaker, spotting a handsome 5'10 feet male, his lean athletic body tailored in a charcoal gray suit, possessing a red tattoo of weeping angels sprawling his tan neck and short lalaloopsy pale blonde hair.

The man drapes an arm around Akira and from his obsidian crystalline eyes, Kaltain knows who he is related to and finds herself uninterested.

“Rune, am I not glad you’re alive,” Akira jokes with a playful grin. “Whatcha been up to?”

“Nothing much, you know, the usual,” Rune chuckles, his eyes flickering to Ishaan and when it lands on Kaltain, his attention switches to her instantly. “Well, hello, gorgeous. Might I know the name of my blessing of the day?”

Immediately, Akira senses attraction and lust bloom from Rune and curls his lips in disgust. ‘He just met the girl and he already wants to fuck her.’

Kaltain spares Rune a glance and then looks at Ishaan, preferring him in her sight, only to notice Ishaan focus entirely on Rune as the male strokes her cheek. 

At that precise moment, Kaltain stiffens, her eyes narrowing dangerously. ‘Should I break his hand?’

She smashes those thoughts away upon remembering her parents disapproval of her last fight and unconsciously takes a step back, her heartbeat quickening, not liking his proximity. ‘Is it a fight if I injure him and deem it an accident? Or maybe I should challenge him…’

“Oh?” Rune inclines his head, grinning in a seductive manner that would make any normal girl flustered. “Playing hard to get? I don’t mind. I actu—

“Rune,” Ishaan cuts in coolly. “Remove your presence.”

Akira, feeling Ishaan irritation and intense displeasure, breathes a sigh of relief as Rune leaves without another word utter. He trails after their old friend, leaving Ishaan and Kaltain alone.

Kaltain's shoulders sag slightly with a mixture of disbelief and comfort. ‘I can’t believe he left just like that.’

“Any special plan fo—

“What’s you—

Ishaan and Kaltain speak at the same time.

The former rubs his neck, heat rising his brown cheeks as he chuckles, while the latter mouth tugs into a small smile.

“You go first,” Kaltain mumbles.

“Alright, if it’s fine with you.”

‘How surprising, I am nervous. I wonder why.’ Ishaan clears his throat, an affable smile lifting his lips. “Any special plans for break?”

Astonishment flashes Kaltain features. “Eh, besides spending time with my family, no.” The balls of her feet bounce softly before she realizes that her anxiety is becoming noticeable and stops. “You?”

“Family business and additional missions, I believe.”

“I see.” Kaltain nods and delicately turns away. “I’ll see you lat—